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Police department plans fundraiser

Proceeds to defray medical expenses

By Chris Frost

Ledger General Manager

Posted:
04/11/2016 06:09:07 PM MDT

The Lamar Police Department is stepping up to help one of its own, Saturday April 23, as the department is planning a Spaghetti Dinner and Auction to defray the medical expenses for Officer Don Williamson from 6 until 8 p.m. at the Eagles Lodge, 1220 S. Main Street.

Lamar Police Chief said Williamson had a medical emergency in Oct. 2015 while he was working security at a football game.

"It was a significant deal," he said.

The officer missed three months due to the issue.

Miller said the medical bills he has heard about are astounding.

"We're trying to help out as much as we can," he said.

The fundraiser is a joint effort by the wives of the police and Lamar Fire Departments, he said, including a silent and live auction with pies and assorted baked goods.

"A lot of the guys from the police and fire departments will show up and make the dinner," he said.

The departments are taking donations of pies and brownies.

"People who want to bring a pie in or brownies in to put into the auction, they're welcome to do that," he said.

Jensen Stulp agreed to conduct the auction, Miller said, and a lot of the local businesses have donated gifts to the fundraiser.

The dinner will include all the favorite side dishes for spaghetti, like bread and butter and salad, Miller's assistant Colleen Saldana said, and discussions continue about adding meatballs to the dinner.

"They'll be plenty of dessert," Miller said.

Outreach and expense

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Brenda Wilson approached the Eagles about use of their facility, he said, and they agreed.

Miller said it took Williamson several months to recover, but he is back to full duty.

The city's insurance will cover a portion of the expense.

"There's still a large sum of money that is going to come out of his own pocket," he said. "He's got an uphill climb."

Williamson did not ask for the help.

"We're there to help people, we're not the ones who need the help," he said. "I think this is the time when you got to help."

When the call went out, Miller said the community is always there.

"All our guys are out for the community every day," he said. "I know these guys."

He is sure the community will step up and help Williamson in his time of need, just like he does for the community every day.

The department has been a rock of support for him, Miller said, as he gets back to work.

"Just getting back into the routine was a huge step," he said.

"Getting back to work has driven home the point that he is getting better and Williamson will move forward and overcome the problem."

Family

Miller said the department is a brotherhood, just like a family.

"Whenever one of your guys get hurt or injured and has a medical emergency, all of us help," he said.

He said the department showed up at the emergency room to see if he was alright.

"It was quite a sight to see," he said.

The community

Spaghetti has already been donated.

"Safeway has donated the spaghetti," Saldana said. "I think Walmart is going to be working on a gift card with a certain amount so hopefully we can get the majority of the rest of the food supplies we need."

People who want to donate to the fundraiser should bring the items to the police department, 102 E. Parmenter St.

"We don't want the pies quite yet," he said. "We want to wait until the Friday before, April 22 or to the Eagles on the 23rd.

"We'll be at the Eagles early cooking and getting ready for the event," he said.

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